NATO must prevent Russia from having stronger presence in Libya, General-Secretary says

NATO should not let Russia strengthen its presence in divided Libya as Moscow’s involvement in the peace settlement process in Syria has only created an “even more difficult situation,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.

“We are following closely the situation in Libya more generally. We have seen the effects of Russian presence in Syria, how that has created an even mo…re difficult situation in Syria. Of course, we have to avoid anything similar happening in Libya. And we call on all actors, including Russia, to support the UN-led efforts and UN-recognized government [in Libya],” Stoltenberg said at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest.

The secretary-general pointed out that the alliance provided support to the government of Fayez al-Sarraj, the Prime Minister of the UN-recognized Government of National Accord of Libya.

“NATO as an alliance is not present on the ground in the Sahel or in Mali, but NATO allies are. And NATO helps and supports some of the activities taking place there. The main reason is that so far there has been no request for a NATO role,” Stoltenberg said at the parliamentary session in Romania.

The international institutions and NATO member-states are capable of handling the situation without the presence of the alliance in the region, the secretary general noted.

(Source: Sputnik)

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